The invention enables creating a mark-able document for a user to mark, and recognizing and processing the user-marked mark-able document to generate an accurate user-readable result that has broad application. The application program used to create, process, and generate a printed output based on the processing includes an array of functionality to create a wide variety of mark-able documents.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for creating a mark-able document, comprising: creating a definition file defining the content and layout of, and instructions for processing user-made-marks on, the mark-able document; automatically generating a globally unique identification (GUID) upon creation of the definition file, the GUID being associated with the definition file; storing the definition file and the GUID; creating a two-dimensional identification representative of the GUID, the two-dimensional identification containing a plurality of blocks, each of which encodes either a first state or second state, and which collectively encode an identifier, the two-dimensional identification being positioned along a side edge of the document and being configured to detect and correct any skew that occurred during generation of a scanned image of the document after having been marked by a user and find the stored definition file from among other stored definition files; outputting the mark-able document; scanning the mark-able document containing user-marks and generating and saving an image thereof; reading and decoding the two-dimensional identification; identifying the GUID based on the reading and decoding of the two-dimensional identification; accessing the definition file associated with the identified GUID; analyzing the image based on the definition file and the user-made marks on the mark-able document, including detecting and correcting any skew in scanning the mark-able document containing user-marks based on the reading and decoding of the two-dimensional identification; and outputting a result of the image analyzing operation.
A method for processing marked documents involves these steps: First, a "definition file" is created, specifying the document's content, layout, and how to interpret user marks. A unique ID (GUID) is automatically generated and linked to this definition file and stored. Next, a 2D barcode representing the GUID is created and placed on the document's edge. This barcode enables skew correction and definition file lookup. The document is then printed for the user to mark. After scanning the marked document, the 2D barcode is read to identify the correct GUID and associated definition file. The scanned image is analyzed using the definition file to interpret user marks and correct any scanning skew. Finally, the results of this analysis are outputted.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein creating of the definition file comprises inputting at least one category, a plurality of mark-able items associated with the at least one category, and at least one formula defining relationships between the at least one category and the plurality of mark-able items.
The method for processing marked documents, begins with creating a definition file. The definition file creation involves inputting at least one category, a plurality of mark-able items associated with the at least one category, and at least one formula defining relationships between the at least one category and the plurality of mark-able items. The next step is automatically generating a globally unique identification (GUID) upon creation of the definition file, the GUID being associated with the definition file, which is then stored. A 2D barcode representing the GUID is created, placed on the document's edge for skew correction and definition file lookup. The marked document is scanned, the 2D barcode read, the definition file is accessed, and the user-marks are analyzed, followed by outputting a result of the image analyzing operation.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the inputting is performed using an interactive window displayed on a display associated with a computing device.
The method for processing marked documents requires inputting at least one category, mark-able items, and formulas to define relationships between the categories and mark-able items for creating a definition file. This input process utilizes an interactive window on a computer display. The method continues with automatically generating a globally unique identification (GUID) upon creation of the definition file, the GUID being associated with the definition file, which is then stored. A 2D barcode representing the GUID is created, placed on the document's edge for skew correction and definition file lookup. The marked document is scanned, the 2D barcode read, the definition file is accessed, and the user-marks are analyzed, followed by outputting a result of the image analyzing operation.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the GUID comprises decoding the two-dimensional identification for the mark-able document.
The method for processing marked documents involves identifying the globally unique identification (GUID) by decoding the two-dimensional identification (2D barcode) for the mark-able document. The method begins with creating a definition file, specifying the document's content, layout, and how to interpret user marks. A unique ID (GUID) is automatically generated and linked to this definition file and stored. Next, a 2D barcode representing the GUID is created and placed on the document's edge. This barcode enables skew correction and definition file lookup. The document is printed, marked, and scanned. The definition file is accessed, and user marks are analyzed, followed by outputting a result of the image analyzing operation.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising: using the decoded two-dimensional identification, detecting whether the image is skewed, and if so, de-skewing the image.
The method for processing marked documents uses the decoded two-dimensional identification (2D barcode) to detect skew in the scanned image. If skew is detected, the image is de-skewed. The method begins with creating a definition file, specifying the document's content, layout, and how to interpret user marks. A unique ID (GUID) is automatically generated and linked to this definition file and stored. Next, a 2D barcode representing the GUID is created and placed on the document's edge for skew correction and definition file lookup. The document is printed, marked, and scanned. The 2D barcode is decoded. The definition file is accessed, and the user marks are analyzed, followed by outputting a result of the image analyzing operation.
6. A non-transitory medium containing a program for directing one or more processors to create a mark-able document, the program comprising: instructions for creating a definition file defining the content and layout of, and instructions for processing user-made-marks on, the mark-able document; instructions for automatically generating a globally unique identification (GUID) upon creation of the definition file, the GUID being associated with the definition file; instructions for storing the definition file and the GUID; instructions for creating a two-dimensional representation of the GUID, the two-dimensional identification containing a plurality of blocks, each of which encodes either a first state or second state, and which collectively encode an identifier, the two-dimensional identification being positioned along an edge of the document and being configured to detect and correct any skew that occurred during generation of a scanned image of the document after having been marked by a user and find the stored definition file from among other stored definition files; instructions for outputting the mark-able document; instructions for scanning the mark-able document containing user-marks and generating and saving an image thereof; instructions for reading and decoding the -o-dimensional identification; instructions for identifying the GUID based on the reading and decoding of the two-dimensional identification; instructions for accessing the definition file associated with the identified GUID; instructions for analyzing the image based on the definition file and the user-made marks on the mark-able document, including detecting and correcting any skew in scanning the mark-able document containing user-marks based on the reading and decoding of the two-dimensional identification; and instructions for outputting a result of the image analyzing operation.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores a program that directs processors to create and process mark-able documents. The program includes instructions to: create a definition file outlining document content, layout, and mark processing; automatically generate and store a unique ID (GUID) linked to the definition file; create a 2D barcode representing the GUID, positioned on the document's edge for skew correction and definition file lookup during scanning; output the mark-able document; scan the marked document; read and decode the 2D barcode; identify the GUID; access the associated definition file; analyze the scanned image and user marks, correcting skew using the 2D barcode information; and output the analysis result.
7. The medium of claim 6 , wherein the instructions for creating the definition file comprises instructions for inputting at least one category, a plurality of mark-able items associated with the at least one category, and at least one formula defining relationships between the at least one category and the plurality of mark-able items.
The non-transitory computer-readable medium stores a program for directing one or more processors to create a mark-able document where the instructions for creating the definition file comprises instructions for inputting at least one category, a plurality of mark-able items associated with the at least one category, and at least one formula defining relationships between the at least one category and the plurality of mark-able items. Further instructions are for automatically generating a globally unique identification (GUID) upon creation of the definition file, the GUID being associated with the definition file, storing the definition file and the GUID, creating a two-dimensional representation of the GUID, the two-dimensional identification being positioned along an edge of the document, outputting the mark-able document, scanning the mark-able document, reading and decoding the two-dimensional identification, identifying the GUID, accessing the definition file, analyzing the image and outputting a result.
8. The medium of claim 7 , wherein the instructions for inputting renders an interactive window displayed on a display associated with a computing device.
The non-transitory computer-readable medium stores a program for directing one or more processors to create a mark-able document where the instructions for inputting renders an interactive window displayed on a display associated with a computing device for inputting at least one category, a plurality of mark-able items associated with the at least one category, and at least one formula defining relationships between the at least one category and the plurality of mark-able items. Further instructions are for creating a definition file, automatically generating a globally unique identification (GUID) upon creation of the definition file, the GUID being associated with the definition file, storing the definition file and the GUID, creating a two-dimensional representation of the GUID, the two-dimensional identification being positioned along an edge of the document, outputting the mark-able document, scanning the mark-able document, reading and decoding the two-dimensional identification, identifying the GUID, accessing the definition file, analyzing the image and outputting a result.
9. The medium of claim 6 , wherein the instructions for identifying the GUID comprises instructions for decoding the two-dimensional identification for the mark-able document.
The non-transitory computer-readable medium contains instructions for identifying the globally unique identification (GUID) by decoding the two-dimensional identification (2D barcode) for the mark-able document. Other instructions include creating a definition file outlining document content, layout, and mark processing; automatically generating and storing a unique ID (GUID) linked to the definition file; creating a 2D barcode representing the GUID, positioned on the document's edge for skew correction and definition file lookup during scanning; output the mark-able document; scan the marked document; access the associated definition file; analyze the scanned image and user marks, correcting skew using the 2D barcode information; and output the analysis result.
10. The medium of claim 9 , further comprising: instructions for detecting whether the image is skewed, and if so, de-skewing the image, using the decoded two-dimensional identification.
The non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions for detecting skew in the scanned image using the decoded two-dimensional identification (2D barcode), and de-skewing the image if needed. The medium also contains instructions for creating a definition file outlining document content, layout, and mark processing; automatically generating and storing a unique ID (GUID) linked to the definition file; creating a 2D barcode representing the GUID, positioned on the document's edge for skew correction and definition file lookup during scanning; output the mark-able document; scan the marked document; read and decode the 2D barcode; identify the GUID; access the associated definition file; analyze the scanned image and user marks; and output the analysis result.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 4, 2010
September 24, 2013
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